Farmingdale State College Testimonials

Dear dr. jeff,

Dr. Jeff Poplarski is the 2015 recipient of excellence award from the Farmingdale College Foundation,The foundation Golf Championship, the Tunnel to Towers Run/Walk. He served for fourteen years as the US Open Golf Championship’s Wellness Chairman. Farmingdale College Foundation is a not-for-profit Corporation that provides financial assistance in advancing the purposes and development of Farmingdale State College. Dr. Jeff Poplarski was awarded excellence in teaching. Poplarski , a resident of Massapequa, is a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine and teaches in the Sports Management Department in Farmingdale’s School of Business. His dedication to his students and volunteerism has made Dr. Poplarski, according to many students, “the best teacher I ever had.” He is noted for organizing student field trips and volunteer outings. Recent events include: a sight visit to the US Open.

MV

Thank you for an amazing semester of Sports Management. It was an amazing, well taught class that I would not mind sitting through multiple times over. As a former manager, I would like to personally thank you for giving me extra tools and world class advice to further better myself in business. Thank you for all the stories. They give me, not only me, but the rest of the class a goal to set and also help me solidify in my mind that I made the right decision to Farmingdale and selected Sports Management as my major. This is something, thanks to you, that I will push and push myself to succeed in. Thank you for seeing the skills and dedication in me to be a good Sports Manager. That means the world to me. Thank you for helping me out with trying to get into the Nutrition Course for the Spring, for which I am currently still unregistered for. Once again thank you for an amazing thirteen weeks. I cannot wait to sit in your class again.

FSC Student LD

Dear Dr. Jeff,

It has been almost 10 years since you wrote me this beautiful attached recommendation. I was applying for an internship with CBS Sports in 2008, and you graciously did everything you can to help me. I feel compelled to write to you now to thank you for changing my life. I didn’t end up with the internship at CBS, but the journey to where I am now in my career is largely because to you.

As a student in your Sports Management class at Farmingdale State College in fall of 2007, you opened my eyes to the world of sports as a career path. I had always been a fan of sports, and was eager to learn about this new emerging field in business. You were always a clear, precise, and dedicated educator who wanted your students to understand the details of working in the sports industry. I did feel as though many of my fellow students didn’t show appreciation for all of the guidance you shared with us, as well as the many opportunities you presented us with. That being said, I would like to show my appreciation by sharing my journey with you.

In the fall semester of 2007, Bryan Connor (Football Ops Manager for the New York Dragons) came to speak as a guest lecturer in your class. I was captivated and intrigued as to what he did for the team, and I decided that I would take a big chance and ask Brian if there were any internship opportunities with the Dragons. Right after the lecture, every one of my classmates walked out without even acknowledging Brian or you for giving us a true glimpse of working in sports. I took the chance, and I ended up with an internship as a Football Ops Intern under Bryan in spring of 2008. From that Dragons internship, I was able to continue as a Practice Facility Intern with the Islanders organization in fall of 2008, as well as a part-time employee in their Team Store from 2009-10.

The U.S. Open (Bethpage Black in 2009) was an amazing opportunity that I would not have known about if it weren't for you. You immediately helped me secure a paid internship with the Will Call team. The two week experience was a wild ride: rain-outs, muddy shoes, and non-stop working shifts. I feel such a privilege to have been a part of it, and it gave me a whole new appreciation for the sport of golf - I’ve actually been playing it for the past 7 years and enjoying every chance I get!

After graduating Farmingdale State in spring of 2009 with a BS in Business Management with a minor in Sports Management, I quickly saw how difficult it was to find any position in the recent economic recession. I continued to try applying to various sports business without luck. I decided to turn my focus to Human Resources, which is my current career field. My first boss at an insurance agency took a shot and hired me as their HR assistant in February 2010, even without any HR experience. I truly believe that the work experience I gained from the Dragons, Islanders, and U.S. Open helped me to find my path in HR.

This all brings me to today. After working in various industries as an HR professional for the past 8 years, I have got my dream job: Human Resources Generalist for the New York Yankees! I could never have dreamed this had not been for your class 11 years ago. You and your class sparked something in me to dream about where I could be in sports, and now my dream has come true. Every day I am thankful to be working for this amazing organization, and I feel that I owe a part of my dream coming true to you as a mentor.

I sincerely want to thank you for everything you have done for me. I hope this email finds you well, and that my appreciation is seen as heartfelt and genuine. You were truly a mentor to me. Thank you for all that you do, and know that you have made a lasting impact on my life.